It's Never Too Late To Improve Your Smile!
Many adult patients face concerns when considering starting orthodontic treatment. Whether the deterrent in your mind is that you’d be too self-conscious to wear braces or you feel that braces are not discreet enough, many of the patients we see come to us feeling like their dream smile is out of reach.
Dr. Cramer is committed to providing tailored solutions to you. Whether it’s to improve your oral health or boost your confidence, we believe it’s never too late to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted!
Why Seek Orthodontic Care As An Adult?
Choosing to undergo orthodontic treatment as an adult, and frankly, any age will lead to a significant improvement in your oral health. Straighter teeth are easier to clean, your risk of gum disease is reduced, and you are less susceptible to tooth decay. It can also alleviate issues such as jaw pain and an improper bite, which liekly leads to long-term dental problems, discomfort, and even headaches.
What Treatment Options Are Available?
No orthodontic treatment our patients receive follows a “one size fits all” approach. That’s why Dr. Cramer is proud to offer options to choose from to best fit your goals and lifestyle! Our key consideration for adults is providing treatments that offer discretion, convenience and comfort.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a discreet and removable clear aligner system, and is one of the most popular treatment options amongst our adult patients. They’re best suited to those with mild to moderate alignment issues, as they offer the convenience of being nearly invisible and provide flexibility to eat and drink without restrictions.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are an excellent alternative for adults who prefer a less noticeable option to metal braces. These use tooth-colored or clear brackets to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. They’re deal for adults with moderate alignment issues.
Learn more about ceramic braces
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are attached to the back of your teeth and are virtually invisible from the outside. They’re also tailored for adults who want an inconspicuous treatment that doesn’t compromise on effectivity, or for those self-conscious about wearing visible braces.
Your Orthodontic Journey
Are you wondering what your journey to that beautiful smile might look like? Our process here at Cramer Orthodontics is individualized to each patient but it generally involves several key steps:
- A comprehensive assessment with Dr. Cramer, including a discussion of your goals and a thorough dental examination.
- Creation of a personalized plan, detailing the proposed treatment and expected timeline.
- Placement of your braces or delivery of your first set of aligners.
- Regular appointments for adjustments or new aligners to ensure steady progress.
- Guidance on how to care for your braces or aligners and maintain oral hygiene.
- Once your goals are achieved, removal of braces or completion of Invisalign treatment, followed by retention solutions to maintain your new smile.
Is Orthodontic Treatment is Right For You?
- You Have Good Overall Oral Health: If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, your teeth and gums need to be relatively healthy. This means a low incidence of active gum disease, untreated tooth decay, or other significant dental health issues since healthy oral tissues respond better to orthodontic treatment.
You Have Adequate Bone Density: In adults, bone density plays a significant role in orthodontics. Your bones must be dense enough to support tooth movement and yet adaptable enough to allow it. We assess this through a thorough dental examination and digital X-rays.
You Are Committed to Change: Your treatment can sometimes take longer than pediatric or adolescent orthodontics. Because of this, we set realistic expectations about your treatment duration, potential discomfort, and the level of commitment you’ll need for success.
You Are a Non-Smoker or Willing to Quit: Smoking can impede the success of your orthodontic treatment by reducing blood flow to the gums and delaying tooth movement. Ideally, you’ll need to be a non-smoker or willing to quit smoking.
You Have Specific Orthodontic Issues: The patients that seek treatment for issues such as crowding, spacing, overbite, underbite, crossbite, or other misalignments that affect their oral health and aesthetics will always be able to benefit from our treatment.
You Don’t Have Unresolved Jaw Growth Issues: Since adult jaws have stopped growing, candidates with severe jaw misalignments might require a different treatment approach in the form of orthognathic surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
The duration of your treatment may vary depending on the complexity of your case, the type of treatment you choose, and your commitment to treatment plan compliance. Generally, treatment can last from 18 months to 3 years.
Braces should have minimal impact on your professional life. With advancements in orthodontic options, such as clear aligners and ceramic braces, treatments can be almost invisible.
Good oral hygiene is crucial during orthodontic treatment. For braces, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to brush around each wire and bracket. Floss daily using a floss threader or a water flosser. For aligners, remove them for eating and drinking anything other than water, and clean them regularly as instructed by your orthodontist.
Some discomfort is normal, especially after adjustments or when switching to a new set of aligners. This discomfort is usually temporary and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. If you experience prolonged or severe pain, it’s important to consult with Dr. Cramer.
Regular check-ups, typically every 4-6 weeks, are necessary to monitor progress and make adjustments to your braces or to move to the next set of aligners. These appointments are crucial for ensuring your treatment is progressing as planned.
With ceramic or lingual braces, you need to avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods that can damage the braces. With Invisalign or other clear aligners, you can eat your favorite foods by simply removing the aligners while eating.
Yes, adults with previous dental work, like fillings or crowns, can still get braces or aligners. Dr. Cramer will assess your specific situation and adjust your treatment plan accordingly.
Orthodontic Care That Doesn't Interfere With Your Life
Dr. Cramer is dedicated to providing adults with personalized, effective orthodontic solutions that address the unique challenges they face. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step towards a healthier, more confident smile!